JeffinAptos

Q: Suddenly I have no built-in speaker output.  Still have sound thru headphone jack.

MacBookPro 15" mid-2012 

2.3 GHZ Intel Core i7 processor

8 GB 1600 MHz DDR3

OS 10.10.4

MacBook Pro (15-inch Mid 2012), OS X Yosemite (10.10.4)

Posted on Aug 9, 2015 1:35 AM

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Q: Suddenly I have no built-in speaker output.  Still have sound thru headphone jack.

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  • Helpful answers

  • by cabro4,

    cabro4 cabro4 Aug 9, 2015 1:39 AM in response to JeffinAptos
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Aug 9, 2015 1:39 AM in response to JeffinAptos

    I had that issue, then the headphones on the MacBook stopped working but still worked on the iPhone 6. It sounds mechanical to me. Is your drive running optimally (without many spinning beachballs)?

  • by JeffinAptos,

    JeffinAptos JeffinAptos Aug 9, 2015 1:45 AM in response to cabro4
    Level 1 (10 points)
    Mac OS X
    Aug 9, 2015 1:45 AM in response to cabro4

    No everything's been runny lousy since I upgraded to Yosemite.   Well, mostly when I'm on the web.   But then I have to close and open the browser every 5 - 10 minutes.   Doesn't matter which browser I'm using.

  • by cabro4,

    cabro4 cabro4 Aug 9, 2015 3:16 AM in response to JeffinAptos
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Aug 9, 2015 3:16 AM in response to JeffinAptos

    Hmm. I had these problems simultaneously, too. I hope I am wrong putting all of these together, but I ended up with a big hard drive crash. I would consider having a tech look at it, since it is running lousy. In the meantime, if the drive gets noisy shut it down, leave it down and find a tech. I didn't hear any noises, but I had a bad head and could've corrupted a whole lot of files.

  • by OGELTHORPE,Solvedanswer

    OGELTHORPE OGELTHORPE Aug 9, 2015 3:20 AM in response to JeffinAptos
    Level 9 (52,313 points)
    Mac OS X
    Aug 9, 2015 3:20 AM in response to JeffinAptos

    Is there a red light in the audio output port?  If so, the switch is stuck.

     

    Insert the earphone jack a few times.

     

    Blow real hard in the port or use compressed air.

     

    Wiggle a toot pick inside the port.

     

    Insert the earphone jack, hold down the F12 key and withdraw the jack.

     

    Ciao.

  • by Linc Davis,Helpful

    Linc Davis Linc Davis Aug 9, 2015 8:05 AM in response to JeffinAptos
    Level 10 (207,963 points)
    Applications
    Aug 9, 2015 8:05 AM in response to JeffinAptos

    There are many possible causes for this issue. Take each of the following steps that you haven't already tried. Some may not apply to your model. Back up all data before making any changes.

    1. Start with the steps recommended in this support article. Don't skip any of the steps. It's the starting point for further efforts to solve the problem.

    2. Make sure you have a fully up-to-date installation of OS X.

    3. If you've installed an application called "Memory Clean" or any other third-party software that is supposed to "clean" or "purge" memory automatically, remove it according to the developer's instructions and restart. You should do that even if the software is not causing the problem, because it's useless.

    4. Other third-party software that has been reported to interfere with sound output includes "Boom" and "Samsung Kies." If applicable, uninstall according to the developer's instructions (not by dragging something to the Trash.)

    5. If an AirPlay device is selected for sound output from iTunes (or from other applications via third-party software such as "Airfoil"), deselect it.

    6. Launch the application "Audio MIDI Setup" by entering the first few letters of its name in a Spotlight search and selecting it in the results (it should be at the top.) Select Built-in Output from the list on the left. If the Mute boxes are checked, uncheck them.

    7. If a red light is visible in the audio-out port when sound should be playing, the internal switch is stuck in the position for digital output. You may be able to free it by inserting and removing a mini-stereo jack of the proper size. If not, the machine needs to be serviced. Inserting any kind of tool in the port may cause damage that won't be covered by the warranty.

    If there's no red light, the switch may still be stuck in the headphone position. Try to free it the same way.

    8. Disconnect all wired peripherals except keyboard and mouse, if applicable. If more than one display is connected, disconnect all extra ones. Restart and test.

    9. If you have a MacBook Air, turn off Bluetooth and restart.

    10. Start up in safe mode. Don't log in; just restart as usual when the login screen appears. When you do, make sure the words "Safe Boot" do not appear in the login screen. If they do, the system is still in safe mode and sound won't work.

    11. Reset the NVRAM.

    12. Reset the SMC.

    13. Triple-click anywhere in the line below on this page to select it:

    /Library/Preferences/Audio

    Right-click or control-click the highlighted line and select

              Services Reveal in Finder (or just Reveal)

    from the contextual menu.* A folder should open with an item selected. Move the selected item to the Trash. You may be prompted for your administrator login password. Restart the computer and empty the Trash. Recreate your settings in the Sound preference pane.

    *If you don't see the contextual menu item, copy the selected text to the Clipboard by pressing the key combination  command-C. In the Finder, select

              Go Go to Folder...

    from the menu bar and paste into the box that opens by pressing command-V. You won't see what you pasted because a line break is included. Press return.

    14. Reinstall OS X after backing up all data.

    15. Make a "Genius" appointment at an Apple Store.

  • by JeffinAptos,

    JeffinAptos JeffinAptos Aug 9, 2015 9:11 AM in response to JeffinAptos
    Level 1 (10 points)
    Mac OS X
    Aug 9, 2015 9:11 AM in response to JeffinAptos

    I tried everything short of a system reinstall without success.  Then I decided to go back and try the headphone jack insertion trick again but this time with a jack connected to external speakers that have their own power source.   Maybe that made a difference?   But after a few attempts---success!!

    Thanks for your help.   I think perhaps the speaker jack may have caused the problem, come to think of it, by removing it while the speakers were still on, or perhaps without reducing the volume first.   Do you think this is possible?

  • by Linc Davis,

    Linc Davis Linc Davis Aug 9, 2015 9:42 AM in response to JeffinAptos
    Level 10 (207,963 points)
    Applications
    Aug 9, 2015 9:42 AM in response to JeffinAptos

    I don't know.